Lucky We Live Hawaii

Locals often use the expression “Lucky we live Hawaii” when something reminds us of how special it is to be in the islands. According to a new Harris poll, a lot of other people agree. Hawaii is ranked just below California in the poll that asks all U.S. Adults “If you could live in any state in the country, except the state you live in now, what state would you choose to live in?”

Hawaii moves up from number three last year by trading places with Florida, which is followed by Colorado and Arizona as number five. Hawaii has been ranked number two just once before since 1997 when Harris began asking the question. That year, Hawaii ranked only 7th best and slipped to 9th in 1999. From 2001 – 2006, it remained steady at third, behind Florida and California, moving up to second in 2006 before falling back to third for the next two years.

Harris believes the rankings show “the powerful attraction of a warm climate.” Colorado and Oregon are the only two of the top eight states, apart from Hawaii, that are not in the mainland Sunbelt.

The poll broke down responses by gender and age. Men and women agree on the top three choices: California, Hawaii and Florida. But for number four, men chose Texas and women chose Colorado, while at number five, men placed New Jersey and women North Carolina.

The poll notes a disagreement between younger and older people. Among the age group 18-33, called “Echo Boomers” by the poll, Hawaii is not in the top five. New York takes number two behind California, followed by New Jersey, Colorado and Florida. “Gen X” (ages 34-45) respondents ranked Hawaii number 4, behind California, Florida and Texas and ahead of Oregon. But Hawaii is the number one state where Baby Boomers (46-64) and Matures (65+) would prefer to live.

The online poll surveyed 2,620 adults aged 18 and over between September 14 to 20, 2010.